VOSH Industrial Hygienist (Norfolk)

DHRM•Norfolk, VA

24d•Onsite

About The Position

The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry is hiring full-time VOSH Industrial Hygienists for its Tidewater Regional Office in Norfolk, Virginia. As part of Virginia’s Occupational Safety and Health team, the role supports workplace safety, health, and regulatory compliance and contributes to preventing workplace injuries and fatalities. The Industrial Hygienist works with Program Directors, Regional Directors, and Compliance Officers to promote safety and accountability. The work includes preparing for and conducting workplace inspections; identifying and evaluating health hazards and exposures; reviewing occupational health programs and procedures; documenting findings and recommending citations; and working with employers to correct hazards. The role also investigates occupational safety complaints, accidents, fatalities, and serious workplace incidents. The position requires occasional overnight travel and responding to emergency calls after hours on a rotational schedule or as needed. The selected candidate must pass a criminal background investigation and successfully complete a 12-month probationary period if beginning employment as an original hire or re-employment. The recruitment is continuous and open until filled.

Requirements

Knowledge or experience interpreting, explaining, or applying federal or state occupational safety and health standards and regulations.
Knowledge or experience conducting worksite safety and health inspections for compliance with occupational safety and health regulations.
Knowledge or experience recommending controls and corrective actions for occupational safety and health hazards.
Effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare meaningful and accurate narrative reports and correspondence.
Practical knowledge and demonstrated ability to use personal computers and Microsoft Office applications.
Effective time-management and organizational skills.
Ability to establish and maintain excellent interpersonal relationships.
Ability to interact positively with customers in a difficult environment.
Ability to wear a respirator properly when required and use other personal protective equipment.
Ability to perform job duties objectively and effectively at scenes where individuals may have sustained serious injuries or died.
Ability to travel overnight occasionally.
Ability to respond to emergency calls after hours on a rotational schedule or as needed.
Ability to perform moderate physical activity, including climbing stairs and ladders, bending, walking up and down inclines, and occasionally lifting and carrying loads up to 30 pounds.
Ability to pass a criminal background investigation.
Successful completion of a 12-month probationary period if beginning employment as an original hire or re-employment.
Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or national, lawful permanent resident, or an alien authorized to work in the United States; the department does not provide sponsorship.

Nice To Haves

Experience as an occupational safety and health professional in the private or public sector.
Experience conducting accident investigations or participating in legal proceedings, such as depositions or court testimony.
Experience performing asbestos inspections or monitoring asbestos abatement worksites.
Familiarity with OSHA sampling techniques, job hazard analyses, and occupational safety exposure assessments.
Fundamental knowledge of industrial hygiene sampling methods, control measures, equipment, and calculations, or experience in a science-related field.
Certification in an occupational safety or health discipline from a recognized organization, such as CIH, CAIH, GSP, CSP, CSM, OHST, or CHST.
Fluency in speaking, reading, and writing Spanish.

Responsibilities

Prepare for inspections by reviewing employer history and researching industry practices and safety measures.
Conduct independent walk-around site visits and observations to identify workplace hazards.
Identify and evaluate workplace exposures to physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and other health risks.
Document the effectiveness of occupational health programs, policies, and procedures.
Interview management and employees to determine exposure to hazards.
Prepare complete and accurate inspection reports and case file documentation, and recommend citations for possible violations.
Work with employers to implement corrective measures for identified hazards.
Evaluate employers’ efforts to reduce and eliminate hazards.
Investigate occupational safety complaints, accidents, fatalities, and serious workplace incidents.

Benefits

Vacation and other leave
12 paid holidays (the posting also states 15 paid holidays annually in its total compensation section)
Health benefits
Sickness and Disability Program
Deferred Compensation with Cash Match
Group, Optional Life, and Long-term Care Insurance
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Program
Retirement Plans
Flexible work schedules